Registration for Public Programs & Reminders
To register for one of our public programs, click the Lake Crabtree icon next to the program to be taken to the registration page on our online registration website, or use the button below to search for programs by location, age, date and more.
Having trouble registering for a program online? Contact Susan Jones at 919-460-2723 or email susan.jones@wake.gov for assistance.
*Preregistration is required for all programs, unless otherwise noted. All participants must be registered. All in-person family programs require an adult to register and attend with children under 18. Age restrictions may apply. Age limits are established for safety and program content. Pets are not permitted at programs.
Types of Public Programs
Programs for Everyone
Spring Big Sweep
Saturday, April 1
9 a.m.–noon
Help clean up Lake Crabtree's shoreline and other areas around the park. Individuals, families, and groups can register to participate in this event. Anyone under the age of 18 (including high school students) must be accompanied by an adult. Gloves and bags will be provided. Participants must complete a Volunteer Waiver Form prior to the event. Long pants and sturdy, closed-toe shoes are required. Drinking water, sunscreen, and a hat are recommended. Be prepared to drive to your location since not all spots are easily accessible from inside the park. Open to ages 8 and up. Minors must attend with a registered adult, and all participants must pre-register.
Birding with Vernon
Saturday, April 1
8:30–10 a.m.
Join our bird enthusiast, Vernon, for an easy walk while looking and listening for our feathered friends. Discover different types of birds and their habitats. Bring your own binoculars and field guides if you have them. Beginners and experienced birdwatchers are welcome! Open to ages 8 and up. Minors must attend with a registered adult, and all participants must pre-register.
Birding with Vernon
Saturday, May 6
8:30–10 a.m.
Join our bird enthusiast, Vernon, for an easy walk while looking and listening for our feathered friends. Discover different types of birds and their habitats. Bring your own binoculars and field guides if you have them. Beginners and experienced birdwatchers are welcome! Open to ages 8 and up. Minors must attend with a registered adult, and all participants must pre-register.
Nature Nerds: Stream Survey
Friday, March 10
1–2 p.m.
Expand your knowledge of our local flora and fauna by exploring a different area of the park each month. Join park staff as they "nerd out" over a different group of animals, plants, fungi or other living things each month. Help collect data for our Biodiversity Project on iNaturalist while increasing your own identification skills.
This month we will be focusing on what we can find in Haley's Branch stream at the new property, 286 East on Old Reedy Creek Rd. Learn how to identify some of our common species, and see what else we can find. Open to ages 10 and up. Minors must attend with a registered adult, and all participants must pre-register.
Storytime for Tots
Storytime for Tots typically occurs on a Wednesday each month from March to November. Each program includes a story followed by nature exploration and a craft or activity. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Come prepared to actively participate with your child. Preregistration is required. Ages 18 months–6 years old.
Homeschool/Track-Out Series
The Homeschool/Track-Out Series typically runs monthly from February to November. These programs are open to students 6–13 years old. Parents/guardians are welcome to stay for the program or drop-off. Preregistration is required.
Adult & Educator Workshops
Lake Crabtree County Park will occasionally offer programs and workshops intended for adults. These are great opportunities to learn new skills. If you have a special request for a nature themed adult workshop that you would like to see offered, you may contact our Environmental Education staff directly, and they can work with you to make that happen:
- Assistant Park Manager of Environmental Education
- Park Technician of Environmental Education Charlie McClay:
charles.mcclay@wake.gov or 919-460-3355
Rain Barrel Workshop
Tuesday, April 11
6-7:30 p.m.
Build your own rain barrel! Participants in this workshop will take home a fully functional 55-gallon rain barrel with installation kit. These are the same rain barrels that retail for $99 and up! Workshops are limited to eight barrels, so reserve your spot now. One registration per barrel. Cost is $50 per barrel and participation is limited to two people per barrel (the person who signed up and one extra person to help).
This event is being presented by "We Plant It Forward".
Become a Junior Park Explorer!
Do you like to explore parks and preserves? Do you like winning prizes? Our Junior Park Explorers program is for you! Learn more here.
Self-Guided Activities
Adventure Backpacks
Visit Lake Crabtree's Adventure Backpack Bin, on the garden side of the manager's office, for some educational fun! You can participate in a citizen science project, go on a scavenger hunt or do some birdwatching! All of the information and tools you need are provided. Just show up anytime during park hours, sign out a backpack at the bin, and begin your adventure! Please be sure to take our short survey when you have completed your activity.
Geocaching
The hunt is on during this high-tech “treasure” hunting activity! Use GPS devices to find hidden containers within the park. This activity is self-guided by getting coordinates from Geocaching.com and bringing your own GPS unit or downloading the Geocaching.com cell phone app.
Those wishing to establish a new cache must follow the proper guidelines and complete and submit a Geocache Form to the park office for review.
Not all of the caches in the park are available to view with a free version of a Geocaching.com account, so check out the geocache links below to see a full list of all geocaches available at Lake Crabtree County Park.
Each geocache has a series of attributes associated with it. Attributes communicate what to expect at a cache location. Head to the Attribute List to see a full breakdown of what each icon represents.
Mobile Tours
Take a mobile tour and see the park through a new lens!
Lake Crabtree County Park has two interactive cell phone tours that you can access from home or while you're at the park. You can access each tour from the hyperlink title below.